LICENSING AND EDUCATION
US Department of Veterans Affairs Attorney Accreditation – 2010 (License No. 15689)
J.D. – John Marshall Law School, Chicago – 1995
Licensed: State of Wisconsin – 1996
Licensed: State of Illinois – 1995
B.S. Western Illinois University – 1984
Associate Degree – Paralegal Studies – 1985
LEGAL EXPERIENCE
Private Practice: Attorney Joanne Leifheit, LLC – 1/1/10 to present
Waukesha County Corporation Counsel Contract Attorney – Guardianships and Protective Placement – 2/03 to 3/09
Attorney: Congdon, Walden, Schuster & Vaklyes, S.C. – 9/05 to 12/09
Private Practice: Attorney Joanne Leifheit – 9/99 to 9/05
Attorney: Mitchell, Baxter, O’Meara & Mathie – 97-98
Guest Adjunct Faculty Member: UW-Madison Law School – Spring 2011
Former Adjunct Faculty Member: Marquette University Undergraduate – Pre-Law, various semesters
Former Instructor: MBTI Paralegal Studies Program – various semesters
Paralegal: 8 years
Claims Adjuster: 1.5 years
Private Investigator: 6 mos.
ORGANIZATIONS AND COMMUNITY ACTIVITIES
Author: The Little Book of Big Tips: The Veterans Pension Benefit Handbook for Seniors and their Families (2011)
President – Waukesha County Bar Association Probate & Estate Planning
Section – 07-08, 08-09, 09-10, 10-11
National Academy of Elder Law Attorneys (NAELA) - 1/11 to present
Pewaukee Chamber of Commerce – 3/10 to present
Member: Wisconsin Bar Association
Member: Waukesha County Bar Association
Member: Milwaukee County Bar Association
Member: Association for Women Lawyers
Former Board Member – Girl Scouts, Great Blue Heron Council
Former Board Member – Waukesha County Commission on Aging – 04-07
Former Board Member – Retired and Senior Volunteer Program
of Waukesha County (RSVP) – 03-05
Mock Trial Judge, Wisconsin High School Competition – 01-03
2003 to present: Volunteer speaker on various legal topics – including churches,
Waukesha County, funeral homes, and community organizations
PERSONAL BACKGROUND
Joanne resides in Waukesha with her husband, two dogs and a cat. She is a lifelong equestrienne and owns a naughty, but cute, thoroughbred named Tucker. She enjoys camping ‘up north’ near the Hayward area, where she vacations during the summers and sometimes is ambitious enough to fish for musky with her husband (unless there’s a good book waiting to be read). Joanne loves a good fish fry. (Right now, the 5 O’clock Club is her favorite for a fish fry, but she is always looking for new places to add to her list!)
Joanne is a proud member of the dynamic Pewaukee Chamber of Commerce (www.PewaukeeChamber.org)